James McAvoy, a newcomer to acting, has decided against a possible role in a “Harry Potter” film.
James McAvoy (45) turned down a possible role in “Harry Potter” at the beginning of his career. As the actor mentioned, he auditioned for the character Tom Riddle.
Contract stipulated “about 40,000 pounds”
“I auditioned for it and I think they wanted to put me on a pre-contract,” he said. About ten other actors were offered the same deal. “They wanted to put us on a pre-contract so they could keep us and select us later,” he explained. “It was a really strange thing,” he added of the process. The remuneration was nevertheless an incentive. “It was a lot of money for me at the time, about £40,000 or so, and I had hardly worked,” he said.
Despite the high amount, his agent advised him against it. The reason for this was a clause that would have prevented him from working for seven months. “She said: ‘We’re going to do something else,'” McAvoy recalled. He then acted in a play, he explained. “I did that instead and I think I got £275 a week. But it was part of my career and I actually got work as an actor. I actually learned and did all that,” he said.
Nowadays, McAvoy is considered a successful actor. In his career, he has already appeared in major film productions such as the psychological thriller “Split” (2016) and the sequel “Glass” (2019). Before that, he made a name for himself with his role as Professor X in “X-Men: First Class” (2011), among others. The actor can currently be seen in the horror thriller “Speak No Evil” (2024). The remake of the 2022 film of the same name is scheduled to open in German cinemas next Thursday (September 19).
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
